Printing, copying, shipping and sign franchises offer much-needed services to individuals and businesses that lack the specialized training and equipment required to produce professional-quality materials and handle high volumes of domestic and international shipping. While these services are in high demand, the market has also become very competitive, with both franchised and independent businesses operating in close proximity (and online) around the country.
Whether you are evaluating a potential franchise opportunity or you currently own a printing, copying, shipping and sign franchise, it is critical to understand the legal issues that are inherent in the franchise model. Attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein has over 30 years of franchise law experience, and he provides detailed, personalized and strategic legal representation to prospective and existing franchisees nationwide.
7 Key Legal Considerations for Printing, Copying, Shipping & Sign Franchisees
1. What is Your Territory?
Many (but not all) franchisors offer franchise territories. If you have a territory, is it protected or exclusive? What exceptions apply?
2. What Can You Expect from Your Franchisor?
Does your franchise agreement establish affirmative obligations (such as training, marketing or on-site assistance) for the franchisor? If not, your expectations should be limited.
3. What are Your Financial Obligations?
When do your royalty and advertising fund contributions begin? When do they end? Can the franchisor seek “liquidated damages” (i.e. “lost future royalties”) after your franchise ends?
4. What Can You Expect from the Advertising Fund?
Where do your advertising fund contributions go? Are you guaranteed a certain amount of spending in your territory, or does the franchisor have the option to focus 100 percent of its marketing efforts in other areas?
5. What are Your Renewal Rights?
When your franchise agreement expires, what do you need to do in order to renew? Can the franchisor claim a “default” in order to push you out in favor of a new franchisee?
6. What are Your Post-Termination Obligations?
When your relationship with the franchisor ends, will you be subject to non-solicitation and non-competition covenants? Will you be able to build a successful independent business if you cannot offer printing, copying, shipping and sign services?
7. What Do You Need to Do to Enforce Your Rights?
If you have a dispute with your franchisor, what do you need to do? Is there a limited time period after which you “waive” your rights? Will you need to travel to the franchisor’s headquarters to pursue mediation or arbitration?
Top Printing, Copying, Shipping & Sign Franchise Opportunities
Industry periodicals, including some online “best franchise” types of lists, identify the following leading mobile franchise opportunities available as of 2017:
Learn More – Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with National Franchise Attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein
The Goldstein Law Firm offers flat-fee franchise opportunity reviews and flexible fee options for franchisees facing legal disputes, and we serve new and existing franchisees in the printing, copying, shipping and sign industry nationwide. To speak with franchise attorney Jeffrey M. Goldstein in a free and confidential consultation, please call (202) 293-3947 or inquire online today.
Disclaimer: The identification of any franchise or company on this website is not an endorsement of any aspect of that entity in any regard, nor should it be taken as one. In this regard, our inclusion of a franchise or company on our site is merely a note of the existence of that franchise or company in a particular industry, not an opinion or recommendation as to the past, current or future legal or financial viability or of that franchise company, franchisor, or its franchisees.